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OK so I have a intermittent check engine light .
I cleared the codes , since the car is new to me , and drove it around for a day or 2 .
the CEL came back.
Went to plug the 2 terminals together under the dash and when i put the key into the "on" position.
The car starts to go into what seems like a diagnostic cycle.
The fans start turning off and on, cooling and heater fans.
Starts buzzing, etc.
Its a real whacky thing.
The check engine light doesnt flash at all, just stays on when its in the retrieval mode.
Any ideas?
Until I figure it out Ill never be able to retrieve codes.

Green into green is diagnostic mode. Green into black is "blink code" mode.

On my 92 leg wiring harness, the green and black connectors are very different. You couldn't cross-connect the colors. The greens put it in the diagnostic mode and spit out codes while you're driving the car. The blacks do something, I forget what, but I don't mess with them.

I have to say that the diagnostic mode is a pretty good default. I'm using it now to run my car, and other than a crackle in the exhaust on coast or decel, it runs great.

while the "smart" side of the green and black are different. the "dumb" side for both is just a ground, so if you use the green into the black, or visa versa, it won't make a difference as far as the gound is concerned.